Woman in labor dies in car crash while her husband drove her to the hospital

A woman who was about to have her baby died in a car crash on the way to the hospital.

The pregnant woman from North Carolina died Sunday night, while her husband drovek her to the hospital to give birth, according to news media reports.

Megan Riggans, 22, went to UNC Chapel Hill Hospital with her husband when the car hydroplaned, went off the road and hit a tree, an officer of the Highway Patrol in North Carolina, told the news media.

The crash occurred in a rural area in southern Alamance County, where strong storms dropped heavy rain throughout the night.

Megan Riggans was not wearing a seat belt and was thrown from the vehicle during the accident, reported the news media. She was unconscious when rescuers arrived. Doctors at Alamance Regional Medical Center were able to deliver her baby. She was pronounced dead later.

The baby was still breathing and had no pulse, Zachary said. The baby was taken to UNC Hospital. His condition was not clear.
Casey Riggans, whose face and back were injured, was taken to UNC Hospital from the scene of the accident.

Teresa Riggans, the woman’s mother-in-law, said her son "is not ready for this."

She learned of the car accident while waiting at UNC Chapel Hill to be there for the birth. "I received a phone call that they were in some kind of accident," she said. "It really has not sunk in yet."

Until just a week ago, Megan Riggans had been working as a waitress at the Hayley Bales Grill. Its director, Art White, remembered her as being energetic and friendly during their lunch and dinner shift.

When White learned of the accident, he said he was very distraught. "It made me feel bad," he said. "It's tragic."